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Tootsie

(1982, Rated PG, Comedy, Starring Charles Durning, Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Lange)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Touching romantic comedy with a twist.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Various representations of strong women and chivalrous men, but also problematic misogynist characters (identified as badly behaved).
  • Violence:

    A few smacks across the face.
  • Sex:

    Implied sex and gay/lesbian innuendo.
  • Language:

    Some questionable language.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Heavy drinking by a main character that is identified as a problem.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Tootsie

Parents need to know that this film touches on issues such as having children out of wedlock, alcoholism, and homosexuality (much of which is mistakenly assumed during moments of cross-dressing). While these issues may seem mature, the film uses each sparingly and as a means to illustrate growth in its characters. While the storyline puts Michael (and his alter-ego Dorothy) in compromising situations, it also leads to good clean fun and personal discoveries about respect for one's self and others.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the film's themes of honesty, homosexuality, and gender equality. Families can talk about the Michael's changes in attitude and treatment of women early in the film versus the end. While the movie may be over 20 years old, it still has something important to say about representations of women on television. Parents could talk to kids about how such representations have changed or remained the same since the film's production.

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    Fun for teens and parents, a little iffy for pre-teens

    This is a great movie -- the only concern I have is some sexual talk which may not be appropriate for pre-teens. An instance that comes to mind: Dustin Hoffman is in Teri Garr's bedroom while she's showering and wants to try on her dress. She catches him and he covers by saying he wants her. They are shown in bed together but it is very tame. Later when things don't go quite right, Teri Garr goes on a rant of sorts, saying (among other things) "I was responsible for my own orgasm." A point to discuss with older kids -- Dustin Hoffman being unwilling to reveal his deception and adding the additional crime of misleading Teri Garr into sleeping with him.

  2. I rate this title off for age 14 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    A film filled with adult themes. Not for young teens.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Anyone would like it

    I'd rate it ON 13+. It's tame and relates to other modern day movies and even a Shakespearean play.

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 5.0

    Classic

    This is my favorite Dustin Hoffman movie. I've seen this movie over 10 times, and I still laugh at the comedic display of Hoffman as a woman.

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